Disaster authorities in Turkey report at least 1 person has died and 4 are still missing after torrential rain caused flash flooding in parts of the southeastern Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman provinces.
Flooding struck on 15 March 2023 following heavy rain. According to figures from Turkey's General Directorate of Meteorology, in a 24-hour period to 15 March, Karaköprü in Şanlıurfa recorded 104.5 mm of rain and Çelikhan in Adıyaman recorded 125.6 mm. Areas of neighbouring Malatya Province also recorded very heavy rain, with Doğanşehir recorded 151.4 mm during the same period.
Local media reported the rivers broke their banks in Adiyaman Province. Türkiye's disaster management agency AFAD, police, gendarmerie and municipality teams were evacuating residents from flooded areas. One person died and 4 were reported missing in Tut District. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Severe flooding was also reported in the city of Urfa (officially Şanlıurfa) and areas of Şanlıurfa Province. On 15 March authorities warned residents of several districts of the city to evacuate their homes, including Akabe, Direkli, Devteyşti and Sancaktepe. A hospital was severely damaged and patients were evacuated.
Thousands of homes were destroyed by earthquakes that struck the region in February 2023. Many of those affected by the current flooding are living in tents in numerous temporary accommodation centres in the region. On 15 March the Adiyaman Provincial government announced a list of schools and mosques where those affected by the floods can take shelter.
Videos shared on Social Media showed multiple vehicles swept away by flood waters and dragged along rivers or streets. As of 15 March, the situation was developing and was likely to change.
Disasters authorities in Turkey report that at least 14 people have now died in the flood that swept through areas of Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman in the southeast of the country on 15 March 2023.
Initial reports from yesterday suggested 1 person died and 4 were missing in the Tut District of Adıyaman Province. Turkey's Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said search and rescue teams found the body of a second victim and search operations are continuing for the 3 remaining missing people. The victims are thought to have died when floodwaters inundated a container home sheltering earthquake survivors.
In order to carry out search and rescue activities, a total of 346 personnel, including 15 vehicles, 14 professional divers and 140 search and rescue personnel have been deployed to the area. In addition, pumping equipment and 6 rescue boats were assigned.
Elsewhere in the province, the government reported a bridge had collapsed on the Adıyaman-Çelikhan Highway which has been closed.
At least 12 people have died in floods in the city of Urfa (officially Şanlıurfa) and areas of Şanlıurfa Province, AFADF reported. Bodies were found in a flooded basement apartment and inside vehicles trapped in a flooded underpass. A further 2 people are missing. AFAD said emergency services received 562 calls for assistance.
Damage in the city is considerable, with multiple vehicles wrecked and buildings and roads damaged. City streets were left strewn with flood debris. Water marks left by the muddy floodwater were above head height in some of the narrower streets of Şanlıurfa.
As of 15 March, floodwaters remained in some areas with some buildings only accessible by boat. Residents were told to move to higher floors and not to remain in the basements or ground floors of buildings. Police and emergency teams have evacuated several buildings.
Pumping equipment, 25 boats, 23 search and rescue vehicles, 17 professional divers and 162 search and rescue personnel are working in the area, AFAD said. Reinforcements have been brought in from other provinces.
Several government ministers including the interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited affected areas on 15 March to see the damage and destruction caused by the floods. Schools and some government offices have been closed. The full extent of the damage will only be known once official damage assessments have been carried out.
Comment: Update March 16
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